Musical Theatre Courses

Programme

Musical Theatre Courses

What is it about?

The musical is a very special production because it brings together three performing arts: theatre, dance and singing! The actors who perform in these shows will therefore have to acquire and develop a solid training in these three disciplines in order to move from one art to another and know how to handle and enrich their palette by combining them.

Indeed, the artist will have to dance while singing, sing while interpreting and act while respecting a very precise choreography. This complex and global mastery will therefore push the apprentice actor to develop his or her skills in all areas and to be versatile. 

Program

Subject specific teachers are a good entry point to provide quality instruction and progress in each of the skills needed for musical theatre. 

At Apolline we are pleased to offer a variety of courses in all areas. For example, we offer acting classes as well as singing classes!

However, in the next step, you will have to learn how to combine these newly acquired skills! Our musical theatre courses combine the teaching of our different teachers to perfect this complex and beautiful art! 

Objectives and skills

By working in groups on these different disciplines, by developing ways of combining and enriching them, the student will learn to interpret his or her sung parts with a fine and emotional performance. They will be able to develop their stage skills and understanding of space by choreographing certain passages and thus develop their tools for creating a complex and playful game in all areas! 

The final work will be performed on stage. Everyone will be able to showcase the skills in which they are most talented while continuing to develop the others, in a friendly and fun atmosphere! 

Learning to perform with Apolline

How to allow children of all profiles to make the most of their lessons, while developing their own potential? 

Based in Lausanne, Morges and Yverdon, Apolline's philosophy is based on the accompaniment of the student, creativity, freedom of each one, exchange and benevolence by proposing : 

  • A caring, listening, dynamic and creative teacher who will always seek to put the student at ease and value their qualities, while helping them to develop their potential. To achieve this, we take it to heart to create and maintain a safe environment so that everyone can perform without fear. At Apolline, we believe that it is essential to be able to try, make mistakes and progress in a playful atmosphere. 
  • A group with a coherent age range so that the students can take pleasure in the exchanges. The creativity of others will allow each one to develop his own. 
  • Coherent lessons with varied exercises and an evolution in the work, to allow the students to develop their abilities and the techniques of play in the long term and to consolidate their knowledge. 
     

Prices

Cours Duration Monthly price One price**.
Musical comedy for children and teenagers 6-10 year 60 minutes

79.00 CHF

900.00 CHF
Musical comedy for teenagers 10-14 & 13-17 years old 90 minutes

99.00 CHF

1'150.00 CHF

* 12 monthly payments from September to August(voir notre règlement).
** Price for payment of the full year's courses in one payment

Valid for annual registration (courses from September to June). All fees are included in the posted prices. Registration during the year is possible (prorated according to the number of remaining courses)

Course locations

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Visual Arts - Music - Theatre - Musical Comedy

Next year 2023-2024

Learn more

The musical is a theatrical genre that combines dialogue, song and choreography to tell a story. The codes of musicals often include expressive use of music and dance to convey emotions and feelings. Musicals may incorporate elements such as musical numbers, solos, duets or ensembles, as well as choreographed dance sets. In addition to these codes, musicals can also include light-hearted comedic themes, but they can also address more serious and dramatic topics. Musicals can use music to enhance the emotion or humor of a scene and use song lyrics to deepen characters or advance the plot. As for the specific elements of musical theatre mentioned in the question, singing is an essential part of musical theatre, with songs written specifically for the show. Training is also important for actors performing in musicals, as they must not only be able to sing and dance, but also act and express emotions convincingly. Comedy or exaggerated voices can also be used to create a comedic or satirical effect in a musical.

There is no single answer to this question, as musicals can vary greatly in style, subject matter and artistic approach. However, there are several common ingredients found in many musicals that are considered essential to their success: Music: Music is probably the most important ingredient of the musical. The songs, melodies and musical arrangements are often written specifically for the show and are used to enhance the emotion, humor or action on screen. Dance: Dance is another essential ingredient of the musical. Choreographed dance numbers can add a visual and expressive dimension to the music and story, and are often used to enhance the emotion or humor of certain scenes. Drama: Finally, drama is a key element of the musical. Dialogue, characters, and storytelling are what set the musical apart from other forms of musical entertainment. Actors must be able to act, sing and dance, while expressing emotions in a convincing way to make the story believable and engaging for the audience.

There are several reasons why one might want to do musical theatre. First of all, musical theatre is an art form that combines several disciplines, including singing, dancing, acting and music. This makes it a comprehensive and emotionally rich performance that can reach a wide audience. In addition, participating in a musical can be an exciting and rewarding experience for the actors, singers and dancers involved. It can provide an opportunity to work with entertainment professionals, such as directors, choreographers and vocal coaches, and to develop performance and collaboration skills. Voice coaching is especially important for actors doing musical theatre, as it can help them improve their vocal technique, tone, intonation, and diction. Voice coaches can help actors better understand how to use their voice to convey emotion and expression in a song. Finally, the musical can provide a memorable and fun experience for audience members, who can enjoy the story, the music, and the actors' performance. For those who participate in a musical as an actor, singer or dancer, it can be an opportunity to develop their skills as performers and create lasting memories.

Characters in a musical can vary in personality, motivation and background. However, there are often characteristics common to many characters in musicals. First, many characters in musicals are heroes or heroines. They are often faced with challenges or obstacles that they must overcome, whether it is to achieve their dream, find love, or reach a specific goal. These characters are often likable and easy to love, which allows viewers to identify with them and become invested in their story. In addition, many characters in musicals have a particular talent or passion for music, dance or drama. They may be singers, dancers, or actors, and their love for the art is often central to the plot of the musical. Finally, musicals can sometimes include characters that refer to particular eras or styles, such as West American characters, tap dancers, or whatever. It's all there. These characters can add a touch of local color or nostalgia to the musical, as well as contribute to the visual and musical aesthetic of the production.

The most famous musical depends largely on the point of view and the context. However, one of the most famous and iconic musicals of all time is "The Phantom of the Opera", created by composer Andrew Lloyd Webber and librettist Charles Hart. Since its premiere in London in 1986, "The Phantom of the Opera" has been produced in many countries around the world, becoming one of the most popular musicals of all time. It has won numerous awards, including seven Tony Awards, and has been seen by millions of viewers worldwide. "The Phantom of the Opera" tells the story of a mysterious ghost who haunts the Opéra Garnier in Paris and falls in love with the young singer Christine. The musical is known for its iconic songs, such as "The Music of the Night" and "All I Ask of You," as well as its lavish sets and elaborate costumes.

It is generally recommended that you receive voice and acting coaching if you want to do musical theatre, as it can help you improve your vocal technique, develop your acting skills, and perfect your interpretation of songs and dialogue. Singing is an essential skill for musical theatre actors, as it is important to be able to sing accurately, have good breath control and be able to project your voice on stage. Singing lessons can help you develop these skills, as well as improve your diction, interpretation and ability to harmonize with other singers. Similarly, acting is an important skill for musical theatre actors, as they must be able to play their character convincingly, convey emotions, and move around the stage with ease and naturalness. Acting classes can help you improve your acting, learn techniques to manage stress and better understand the psychology of your character. Singing and acting coaching can also give you the opportunity to receive constructive feedback from industry professionals, who can help you identify areas for improvement and develop your confidence as a performer. Ultimately, voice and acting coaching can be a valuable investment in your musical theatre career, helping you develop and achieve your artistic goals.

Yes, at Apolline, our musical theatre training can be adapted for adults, regardless of their previous experience in this field. Adult musical theatre classes are tailored to the level and needs of participants, whether they are beginners or advanced, and can be a great opportunity to learn new artistic skills, make new friends and participate in a rewarding creative activity. In addition, our adult musical theatre classes can offer unique advantages over children's and youth classes, such as the ability to focus on more advanced topics, such as improvisation, complex song performance, and more nuanced character creation. Adults can also be more motivated and invested in their musical theatre training, as they are often looking to develop new skills for their careers or simply for personal enjoyment.

It's not easy to determine if your child has a talent for comedy, but there are a few signs to look for. First, if your child enjoys acting and making others laugh, this can be a good indicator of his or her comedic potential. Also, if your child enjoys participating in shows, plays or role-playing, this may also be a sign that he or she has some aptitude for comedy. Watching how your child interacts with others, how he or she tells stories, and what he or she says can also be clues to his or her potential as a future comedian. If you think your child has a talent for acting, you can encourage him or her to participate in acting classes or acting activities for children. Children's acting classes can help your child develop acting, improvisation and speaking skills, as well as build confidence. It's also important to keep in mind that even if your child doesn't become a professional actor, the skills learned in acting classes can benefit all areas of life. In fact, acting can help children develop creativity, self-confidence, teamwork and self-expression.

For the moment, we only offer our musical theatre classes in Lausanne. In view of the growing interest for our classes, it is possible that we will open classes in various cities of French-speaking Switzerland, such as Geneva, Yverdon or Neuchâtel. Regarding our acting classes, our teacher Mirko teaches in Yverdon and Etoy.

It is true that we do run vacation camps at Apolline, including vacation camps for children of all ages in the visual arts. For the moment, we do not organize similar camps for theater and musical theater, but this situation may change in the future.

There is no particular diploma given to students throughout their learning process. Indeed, Apolline favors learning that is based on pleasure through progression and not on performance. This is why we do not organize exams, and why there are no diplomas. Every year we organize a festival with the colors of the school: The Apolline Fest. You can read our article on this subject. Each student who wishes to do so has the opportunity to register and perform in front of an audience of friends and family. This is a good opportunity to showcase all the work done during the year. It is also common for our teachers to write letters of recommendation for students to help them achieve their goals. In addition, for experienced students, our teachers offer a professional curriculum to prepare motivated students for the art school entrance exams. All of our music teachers have a degree from an art school.

At the moment, Melie is teaching musical theatre to a group of the same age, juniors, with a positive and balanced dynamic. If enrollment grows over time, we will form several classes based on age and experience through the school. Apolline guarantees the best learning conditions for your child. Please note that if your child speaks English, there is always the possibility of including English in a role for example. There is no limit to creativity!

An acting internship is a more intensive, longer program designed to help students develop and improve their acting skills. Internships can last several weeks or even months and can include acting classes, comedy writing workshops, rehearsal sessions and public performances. On the other hand, a comedy workshop is a shorter, more focused event that focuses on a particular aspect of acting, such as improvisation or sketch writing. Workshops can last a few hours or a day, and are often led by comedy professionals who share their expertise with participants.

At Apolline, we do offer a trial class to new students, free of charge. At the end of this trial class, the student will have to decide whether to sign up for the year if he or she liked the class, or not, without any complications. Since the classes are held once a week, this is a sort of one-week registration option.

To be honest, this is a scenario we haven't faced yet. But yes, it can make sense to take one-on-one musical theatre classes, depending on each person's needs and goals. One-on-one classes can provide a more personalized and individualized environment for learning musical theatre. Melie, our teacher, can focus on each student's specific strengths and weaknesses and tailor lessons accordingly. This can help maximize each student's potential and develop their skills more effectively. In addition, one-on-one instruction can be beneficial for those who have busy schedules and cannot attend regular group classes. Schedules and sessions can be more flexible and tailored to the needs of each student.

Acting and musical theatre classes have different goals, content and physical requirements. Acting classes generally focus on acting, stagecraft, and text analysis, while musical theatre classes focus on dancing, singing, musical interpretation, and choreography. Musical theatre classes often have higher physical demands than acting classes. Acting classes are suitable for various levels of experience, while musical theatre classes are often more demanding and require a more advanced level of skill in singing, dancing and acting. The choice between the two types of courses depends on the interests and goals of each student.

Memory is one of the actor's main working tools on stage. Before you even begin to work on the staging of a play, you will need to appropriate the dialogues, as a base on which to research, build and explore avenues of interpretation and staging. But this can be a complex task: how can you get to know dialogues and monologues that are sometimes tedious? First, it will be helpful to identify your learning style. What is your memory type? Are you more sensitive to visual, auditory or kinesthetic aspects? If you're not sure, there are many tests online that will help you find your input channel. Once you have identified your memory type, build tools that will use these channels. If you are a visual type: Easy for you, so the most effective method will be to work directly with your book. Read it regularly and use a ruler to hide your line of text to make sure it has passed into your memory. If you are an auditory type: Ask someone to work on your text by giving you the line and correcting you aloud by reading back to you the erroneous passages. If no one can give you the line, you can also work on it using your phone: Record the entire text, leaving some gaps before your lines, then say them out loud. You can then work on your text orally and be corrected directly. If you are a kinesthetic type: Try as much as possible to work on your text in situation. You can use the same methods as for auditory memory while moving in space. If you already have elements of staging or set design, take advantage of them to integrate them into your memory work. Don't forget that the most important thing with memory is to work regularly and over time! There is no need to work 5 hours on your text the night before, prefer small work sessions well in advance of the first rehearsals. This way you will be perfectly at ease to concentrate on the work of directing and the emotional investment that the play requires.

Yes, singing lessons are included in musical theatre classes because singing is one of the key elements of musical theatre. Students learn to sing using proper techniques to project their voice, harmonize in a group, sing solo and perform a song convincingly. Musical theatre classes also focus on musical interpretation, where students learn to use their voices to express emotion and tell a story. Musical theatre classes may also include rehearsal sessions where students work on individual or group songs. However, it is important to note that musical theatre classes may focus more on dance and choreography than on singing. If you are interested in perfecting your pure vocal technique, you can sign up for singing lessons with our resident teacher: Sandrina.